Phyllis Mae Estenson, age 95, of rural Pigeon Falls, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Phyllis was born on February 19, 1931, in Colfax, Wisconsin, to Ole and Lola Repaal. As a young girl, she attended a one-room schoolhouse and often recalled walking uphill both ways to get there. On cold mornings, she kept warm by carrying a freshly baked potato in her pocket. After graduating from high school, Phyllis worked at the Presto factory in Eau Claire. She loved dancing at Fournier's Ballroom, where she met the love of her life, Donald Estenson.

Phyllis and Donald were married on June 12, 1954, at Pigeon Creek Evangelical Church. Together, they farmed in Fitch Coulee for 24 years, growing crops and milking cows. In 1963, they were blessed with their only child, Lisa. Due to Donald's health challenges related to juvenile diabetes, the couple planned to sell the farm and build a home on an acre of land they had purchased. Donald passed away on August 28, 1978. Phyllis and Lisa later moved into the new home, where Phyllis would spend the final 48 years of her life.

Phyllis was an accomplished seamstress, knitter, and quilter. Even in her later years, she continued completing sewing projects and knitting clothing for babies. She was also a lifelong sports fan, beginning with cheering on her brother as he played ball and later enjoying fast-pitch softball, wrestling, and basketball.

Later in life, Phyllis was introduced to hockey through her granddaughters, who played the sport. She became affectionately known as "Hockey Grandma" and "Grandma Boomer."

Never one to stop learning, Phyllis taught herself how to use a laptop computer. YouTube quickly became a favorite, allowing her to enjoy country music groups, sewing tutorials, and polka-dancing videos. She also followed several knitting channels, including two knitters from Norway. Phyllis was a longtime viewer of the local cable channel, especially enjoying its coverage of area dances and interviews with community members and local businesses.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Jay) Custer of Baldwin; her grandchildren, Jared Custer (Brittany Nelson), Mallory (Adam) Christianson,  McKayla Hannah (Emily) ; her great-granddaughter, Sadie Christianson; her nephews, Larry (Cathy) Estenson, Mark (Cindy) Estenson, Dennis (Jean) Repaal, and Kyle (Kendra) Repaal; and her sisters-in-law, Doris Estenson and Toni (Harry) Filz.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Donald, Phyllis was preceded in death by her brother, Gerald (Doloris) Repaal; her brothers-in-law, Kenneth Estenson, Floyd (Harriette) Estenson, and Vernon Estenson; and her niece, Colleen Fansler.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the effort to light Ekern Park, or Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall.  Pastor Gregory Ofsdahl will officiate.  Burial will be in the Pigeon Creek Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Pigeon Falls.

Friends may call from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service.